San Francisco

It was so much fun seeing Danielle for an afternoon.  The hours seem to go so quickly when we're together.  And she has the cutest house!  Danielle, post a photo of your new couch!  Can't wait to see what you kept describing.  And post photos of your entire house while you're at it.  Including your elevator.  :)  (Why didn't we take more pictures together?)

Happy Birthday Missy!!!!

Happy Birthday Miss!  I sure hope you had a fabulous day!  We love you so much and so grateful to have you in our lives.  You are such an example to us in how giving and how thoughtful you are.  We are so lucky to have you!  love ya girl.  Here are some fun memories with you!

                                                                              Best Hotel

                                              

                                                   Sorry old picture so the quality is bad

Lunch at Normandie's

HAPPY 26th!  We love you!

Happy Birthday Rach!

Rachel, hope you are having such a good birthday.  Here are a few fun photos of lots of memories and moments we've had with you.  Love you Rach!!! 

Birthday shout out!

Who doesn't love Lesley Jane.  I know this is a day late but we just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to  the best friend a girl could ask for... She's the best lip syncer, hiccup laugher, secret keeper, honest advice giver, and country song cryer with the BIGGEST heart :)  We love you Les.  Happy Birthday.

San Diego and Balboa

El and I went to San Diego over Labor Day, for a little trip before we met up with my family for the annual Balboa Island vacation. It was so much fun to be in San Diego. We were able to go to all of our favorite restaurants, go to Coronado, meet up with some of our good friends, and just enjoy being together. It was perfect!

At the Hotel Del!

On our 'usual' Friday date night in La Jolla. 

We loved going to La Jolla to dinner and to walk around the galleries at night.  It was the perfect weather for a gallery stroll.  Remember Miss... we took you one Friday night?  SO much fun!!

Of course we had to go to the Crab Cooker... multiple times!

And In-N-Out, for those of us who don't live in California, Vegas and now Salt Lake.

Just the girls hanging out on Balboa Island.  

Some day we're all going to have to meet here... someday!  (Or anywhere.  I'll meet wherever!)  When?  Next year?  2 years?  3?  When all the hubby's are out of school?  Let me know, I'll be there!

November in September

Hello you guys! How are you all???  I sure hope well.  Last Sunday I was in the mood for pumpkin chocolate chip bread so I made some and it actually turned out pretty good.  So here is the recipe.....

I got it from allrecipes.com

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Rated: Submitted By: Star Pooley Photo By: Allrecipes Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Ready In: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Servings: 36

"This spicy pumpkin bread dotted with mini chocolate chips makes a fun holiday treat."

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups white sugar 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 1 cup vegetable oil 2/3 cup water 4 eggs 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 1 pound size coffee cans, or three 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2.	In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Fill cans 1/2 to 3/4 full.
3.	Bake for 1 hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from cans or pans.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2010 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 9/22/2010

Just a few things..... First I know it's a lot of sugar.  I bet you could substitute with applesauce or something like for at least some of it or just not put that much in.  Also I only made half of the recipe and used 8 by 4 pans and actually only cooked it for 45 min and it came out perfect.  So your ovens may be different.  


So as I made the bread, I watched Home Alone 2 and felt like it was November or late October.  I was super sad for summer to end but it made me get excited for fall with Halloween and just all of the fun activities that fall brings.  I also was probably trying to trick myself in wishing it was November because I would be that much closer to having our little one come and for Drew to come home.  I have about 10 more weeks!  I tell you what- I can't wait to have my old self back again.  Not that i am not loving having our baby girl grow inside of me but I went to Target tonight and I was like.... really?  can I just buy a normal shirt or pants that will fit me!  Okay I am just complaining because pregnancy really is the most amazing thing and I am so excited for all of you to go through it but there are sometimes where you are like....okay I am done!  Anyways....  Well I hope all is well and I miss you all!


much love


Rach

CHICAGWA

We just got back from visiting Brad's brother/sister-in-law in Chicago and it was AMAZING!!  Les, I was thinking of Marianne while we were there and imagining how sad she must've been to leave!  I thought it was the coolest city.  Steve and Mares live right in the heart of it all too so it was way fun.  We stood on the glass plank at the top of Sears Tower (intense), we went to a cool art museum, we saw the musical "Billie Elliot" (has anyone seen that?), we rode the swings and ferris wheel at Navy Pier, we went to a Cubs game, we walked along the beach (so cool that they also have a beach in that city!), and ate a ton of yummy food!  Sadly we didn't go to Oprah... that was the only thing we missed out on, but it looked so fun to have a baby in the city and it made me excited for you Laura and Rach!  You will have a blast once you get all settled and situated.  You need to post some pics of baby Ethan by the way!  He is so adorable.  And I'm sure you have so much free time on your hands right now Laur :)  I'll have to post the ones I took.  Anyway... this is awkward to end... enjoy the pics I guess!